Department of Justice

Zephyrhills Brothers Sentenced to Prison for Firearms Offenses

Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Susan C. Bucklew today sentenced Dannie Carl Rayford, Jr. (32) to 15 years in federal prison, and his brother, Jermain Lavan Harrison (30), to 12 years and 7 months in federal prison for possessing firearms and ammunition. Both men were previously convicted of multiple felony offenses, including armed burglaries and drug violations.

Rayford and Harrison pleaded guilty on October 7, 2014.

According to court documents, on January 28, 2014, an undercover detective with the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office purchased an SKS assault rifle and narcotics from Harrison at the brothers’ residence. During the execution of a search warrant several days later, law enforcement officers found Harrison in possession of a loaded semi-automatic pistol. Officers also recovered four additional firearms, including two shotguns, as well as ammunition and an assortment of narcotics in Rayford’s bedroom. Both brothers subsequently admitted to dealing in narcotics and firearms.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Josephine W. Thomas.

It is another case prosecuted as a part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” Program - a nationwide, gun-violence reduction strategy. United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III, along with Regina Lombardo, Special Agent in Charge, ATF, is coordinating the Project Safe Neighborhoods effort here in the Middle District of Florida in cooperation with federal, state, and local law enforcement officials. It is also a part of ATF’s Frontline Strategy to reduce violent crime in our communities.